Some pairings make a gift or a little treat better, and books paired with flowers are one of them. A great novel and a bouquet waiting on the table of your reading nook can instantly heighten your escape into literature. Whether you’re searching for a fun surprise for a family member, friend, loved one, book club, or yourself, matching fresh titles with fresh flowers is one of the best ways to romanticize life. If you don’t believe us, ask those who participate in St. Jordi Day on April 23rd, where books and roses are exchanged on the streets of Barcelona! At Casas Adobes Flower Shop, the best florist in Tucson, we’re talking about much more than roses as we dive into some of our most inspiring book and bloom matches.

The Classics

Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë

In this classic novel, the story of Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw unfolds through passion, heartbreak, betrayal, and revenge. Thrushcross Grange is often linked to the English gardens of Ponden Hall in West Yorkshire, near Haworth. From there, it is only natural to imagine pink garden roses, elegant delphiniums, and lush peonies spilling across the grounds.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

In the glamorous world of 1920s New York, Jay Gatsby falls deeply in love with the alluring Daisy Buchanan. Through the sparkle of extravagant parties and the energy of the Jazz Age, The Great Gatsby gives readers one of literature’s most iconic symbols– the green light. Tied to dreams of wealth, success, and Daisy’s love, it is beautifully reflected in the green orchid, a flower linked with luxury and status. To create a complete bouquet, add roses for passion and timeless beauty, and fresh daisies as a meaningful tribute to Daisy herself.

Mystery Thrillers

The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

Readers are instantly drawn into this thrilling novel as Millie moves into the home of Nina and Andrew, a couple whose life looks picture-perfect from the outside. With a stunning house, fancy cars, and a put-together daughter, they seem to have everything. Still, this is a story where no one is exactly who they appear to be. White orchids are a fitting choice here, representing the purity, elegance, and pristine beauty that shape those first few chapters, as well as Nina’s all-white wardrobe.

His & Hers by Alice Feeney

Murder and mystery unfold with suspense around every corner. The novel follows newsreader Anna Andrews and Detective Jack Harper as both become entangled in the same series of murders. With its intricate plot and constant twists, dahlias are a striking choice for capturing the book’s mood. Red dahlias feel especially appropriate, reflecting the red-and-white friendship bracelets that repeatedly appear in the string of crime scenes.

Romance

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

With its rich blend of magic and romance, The Night Circus invites readers into an enchanting world of mystery and marvel. Beneath its black-and-white tents, the circus comes alive with dazzling performances and guests dressed in black, white, and touches of red. There, Marco and Celia are drawn together despite the competition that pits them against each other. Red roses are a fitting symbol of their growing love, while dark calla lilies paired with white blooms capture the novel’s dramatic palette.

The Duke and I by Julia Quinn

Whether you know it as The Duke and I or as Netflix’s beloved Bridgerton, this story is full of romance, spring feelings, and floral inspiration. Out of all the blooms it brings to mind, tulips stand out most. Red tulips symbolize passion and a declaration of love, while yellow tulips are often linked to hopeless love, making them especially meaningful for this title. They also appear in the story, as Simon gifts Daphne a bouquet of tulips before she becomes his wife.

Beach Reads

The Five-Star Weekend by Elin Hilderbrand

The Five-Star Weekend by Elin Hilderbrand is a moving story of grief, friendship, sisterhood, forgiveness, and love, centered on Hollis Shaw as she welcomes five friends to her Nantucket beach house after the loss of her husband. Each guest comes from a different chapter of her life, and not all of them arrive in harmony. Between the carefully planned meals, charming evening plans, and rising tension, blue and white hydrangeas set the perfect coastal scene. Their symbolism of heartfelt emotion and gratitude also makes them a fitting bloom for this beachside read.

The Wedding People by Aliso Espach

In The Wedding People, Phoebe Stone arrives at the Grand Cornwall Inn in Newport, Rhode Island, expecting a weekend of self-focused escape, only to find herself surrounded by a hotel exclusively filled with wedding guests. Darkly funny and unexpectedly sweet, the novel balances humor and heart in a memorable way. Ranunculus and white calla lilies, both beloved wedding blooms, feel like the most fitting flowers to represent its setting and spirit.

Fiction

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

What would it be like to befriend an octopus? Shelby Van Pelt offers a heartwarming answer through Tova’s unlikely and life-changing connection with Marcellus, a giant Pacific Octopus at the Sowell Bay Aquarium. Beyond its unusual friendship, the novel is also a touching story of family, grief, and love. Orange spider mums and colorful alstroemeria are the perfect floral tribute to this incredible book, offering a playful nod to everyone’s favorite giant Pacific octopus. At the same time, these blooms symbolize loyalty and faithful friendship, making them a meaningful match.

Heart the Lover by Lily King

Heart the Lover draws readers into the world of academia through the narrator’s relationships with Sam and Yash. As the novel unfolds, so do the twists and emotional knots that come with their interconnected lives. It feels only fitting to choose orange lilies for a book by an author whose name already hints at flowers. Peruvian lilies also deserve their place here, as their symbolism of friendship, loyalty, and devotion mirrors the qualities that shape the novel’s central characters.

At Casas Adobes Flower Shop, we love the idea that books and flowers each speak in their own distinct language. Pairing them together allows us to connect memorable stories with the timeless beauty of fresh blooms in a thoughtful and inspiring way. For readers and flower lovers alike, there is something magical in that connection.